Steam Packet forced to cancel fast craft sailings

Steam Packet sailings between the Isle of Manx and Liverpool have again been disrupted due to technical problems with Manannan.

All today's scheduled sailings to the Merseyside port have been cancelled as problems with the vessel's water jet propulsion system continue to blight Easter holiday crossings.

Last night's Manannan sailing (5 April) was cancelled after passengers and vehicles were loaded on - that decision made by the ship's master due to a combination of technical problems and thick fog in the Irish Sea.

Steam Packet engineers worked through the night in an attempt to have Manannan operational by this morning.

The company said divers would carry out underwater repairs, but the problem has not yet been fixed.

Last night's Ben my Chree sailing to Heysham, carrying many of the Manannan's passengers, was delayed docking in the Lancashire port due to fog.